October 13, 2006—A major commercial development in Syracuse, NY, will be the world’s largest sustainable structure to be built with recycled industrial materials, incorporate energy efficient features, and reduce vehicle emissions, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The developers of Destiny USA, a multi-use project, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the EPA, promising to use a variety of environmentally sustainable practices. EPA hopes that this is the first of many similar commitments in major construction projects.
Destiny USA agreed to:
- Employ green building techniques;
- Become a partner in EPA’s Resource Conservation Challenge, WaterSense, and Energy Star programs;
- Use more than 3,000 tons of coal ash in concrete, reducing greenhouse gases by more than 3,000 tons;
- Retrofit more than 100 construction trucks to reduce emissions by 85 percent;
- Incorporate hybrid and diesel vehicles in to its fleet;
- Promote EPA’s SmartWay Transport Partnership to its carriers, shippers, and tenants to reduce truck emissions; and
- Implement a commuter benefits program.
EPA is asking developers nationwide to expand their use of recycled industrial materials including coal combustion products, foundry sand, and construction and demolition debris. Instead of disposing of these materials, they can be used to make products like concrete, wallboard, steel beams, and asphalt, says EPA. Each year, US businesses generate more than half a billion tons of industrial waste, which could often be recycled and reused, adds EPA.
For information on EPA’s Industrial Materials Recycling program, visit EPA.
